Thursday, Dec 3, 2015, 4:01 pm

The Entire Labor Movement Should Be Paying Attention to Wisconsin’s Kohler Strike

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If unions are going to survive, support for crucial battles like the Kohler strike are essential.

Two thousand workers at the Kohler faucet plant in Wisconsin have been walking the picket since November 16. Such a strike would have been commonplace decades ago. Nowadays it is a rarity. Major strikes of over 1,000 workers are few and far between. Even rarer are open-ended strikes at an industrial plant.

Today’s battered labor movement no longer thinks of watershed strikes; we are so beaten down and used to defeat that no particular loss is seen as critical. And sadly, it’s not as if labor must win this particular battle to survive. The truth is labor has learned to live with defeat. But a more fundamental point is at stake: Labor must redevelop the ability to win this type of strike if we are to have any chance of survival.

The Kohler strike is an open-ended, large scale, non-publicity style strike in manufacturing, a traditionally organized industry. Labor has become adept at hit-and-run publicity strikes such as the Walmart, retail and fast food strikes of recent years. Although important, these are not the fight-to-the-finish type battles, nor do they involve anywhere near the number of workers or level of participation, that this strike does. It is likely that more days of work lost to striking have accumulated in two weeks of the Kohler strike than in five years of retail and fast food strike activity.

Decades ago, victory or at least a draw in such a strike would have been likely. Here we have a union, the United Auto Workers (UAW), with close to a century of unionism and a long history of confrontational class struggle. The strike involves almost 100% participation by the workers facing a historically anti-union corporation. Indeed, the Kohler plant was one of the most anti-union holdouts in the North at a time when most corporations operating in Northern and Midwestern states like Wisconsin temporarily accepted workers’ demands for unions and the right to strike.

The Kohler plant has a history of intense battles, including a 1934 strike which resulted in the formation of a company union. After the workers abandoned company unionism for the UAW, one of the longest strikes in U.S. history commenced in 1954. The strike in many ways was a dividing line between the mass militancy of the 1930s era and the modern era, which outlaws effective trade union activity. The strike produced picket line militancy, congressional hearings replete with conservative attacks on militancy, a Supreme Court case and finally a settlement in 1966 which kept the union intact. Unlike in many of today’s battles, the national UAW and AFL treated this is a key battle and helped sustain a national boycott of Kohler products for almost a decade. Despite the company’s vehement anti-unionism, the labor movement was able to fight the battle to a draw.

As recent as 20 or 30 years ago, progressives in the labor movement regarded strike solidarity as critical to labor’s success. The idea was that when a section of the working class went into an important battle, all of labor must view their victory as our highest priority. Battles such as the P9 strike at Hormel in Austin, Minnesota, the Detroit news strike and the Staley lockout drew support from thousands of trade unionists across the country who viewed those battles as their battles. Today, in contrast, when workers choose to fight, they often do so in isolation or with sporadic support from the entire labor movement.

Former ILWU longshore organizing director Peter Olney wrote a perceptive article a number of years ago which could have been written about the Kohler strike. Writing in the aftermath of the RIO Tinto lockout where workers employed massive solidarity to beat back an attack of unionism at a long-organized mine, Olney called for reviving the lost art of strike strategy. After detailing the many forgotten elements of such strategy, Olney concluded, “Perhaps most importantly, the labor movement has lost the concept of ‘swarming solidarity.’ Central labor bodies—once charged with mobilizing labor forces in their geographic areas in support of striking or locked-out workers—have become principally tasked with political action work.”

Olney pointed out that defensive battles like the Kohler strike are critical for the labor movement to win. “Every time these battles are lost, it sends out a widespread message that unions can’t defend their members and the union movement is dead. Conversely, when workers win these fights, confidence in labor grows and organizing becomes a bit easier because of the positive demonstration effect.” By this measure, the labor movement must rally behind the battle of the Kohler workers and view their victory as essential for the labor movement.

Yet victory is far from certain, for we have seen this script play itself over and over in the last three decades. A local union, tired of the unfair management’s relentless attacks, decides to take a stand. The courageous workers go out on strike with spirits high on the picket line. After some spirited picket line activity, the employer seeks and obtains and injunction against mass picketing. The union largely complies with this directive. The more enlightened unionists in the city and throughout the country help organize some sporadic solidarity rallies and holiday fundraising while most in labor goes about their business. The employer hires permanent replacement scabs, and production continues. The strike is eventually compromised or lost.

If labor is to not just survive but thrive, we must be able to change that story line—and win. That means concrete acts of solidarity such as resolutions of support, solidarity efforts and fundraising. But it should also mean that the labor movement begins to discuss what it means to break out of this cycle of losses—a cycle that is directly attributable to the rules of the game being fixed in capital’s favor. One hundred years ago, the AFL under Samuel Gompers’ leadership strategized about how to defy injunctions, as did a generation of trade unionists in the 1930s.

Labor developed a philosophy of defiance to unjust laws and promoted the right to an effective strike. Today’s national labor movement offers no such strategic guidance and is far more likely to counsel compliance with unjust labor laws.

In recent years, many in labor have become accustomed to highly choreographed strikes and well-scripted campaigns. All those things certainly have a place in the worker’s movement. Yet, real trade unionism based on local unions rooted in the workplace do not work that way. We don’t always get to pick the battles we support or the struggles that take place. But solidarity, and our survival of the labor movement, requires we support those increasingly rare instances when workers do choose to fight. The Wisconsin Kohler strike is exactly such a battle in need of such support.

Irishrow2,You should know by now that some people [smile] show up here simply to troll union workers while dispensing their brand of anti union 'facts' which have no relation to actual facts at all. Ignore them and keep the faith. Solidarity from a Florida Teamster (salute).

Posted by Michael Grim on 2015-12-12 00:11:08

Huggins;

How gracious of you! Nice to see that you have no desire to be judgemental, and aren't likely to jump at half-cocked conclusions, isn't it? [smile]

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-11 19:57:17

I've read your comments, and at best you're a troll, at worst you're a paid astroturfer working for Kohler, or some other corporation.

Posted by Hugginss_GRz on 2015-12-11 17:20:42

SimonSezz;

I've replied to this, but it doesn't seem to have stayed posted. To make it short, however, check your "union" statistics for the countries you mentioned, and note the slope of the decline of union membership in them as well....a slope that parallels that of the U.S. And I make that claim as one who has worked and managed workers in Germany.

Beyond that, if you don't want to put in those hours for the "fat cats", then don't! I suspect they could get along without you...and everyone else who thinks they're owed a subsidy simply on the basis of being American.

Don't know about "previous generations", but I suspect the more responsible people in THIS generation will call those who deliberately go out of their way to piss off those their very existence is dependent upon "fools". After all, who has created, financed, and maintained the jobs? The unions? And, historically, those who shoot themselves in the foot to evade the hard realities of life - even economic realities - are THEMSELVES considered cowards.

You can make "gimme, gimme" demands all you want...but that alone just isn't going to cut it anymore. There are far too many opportunities for those who have the jobs to offer for them to feel overly obligated to would-be parasites.

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-11 17:15:42

Huggins;

I have. Have a degree in it, as a matter of fact. So, other than being obtuse, your point would be?

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-11 17:05:59

Good luck to you guys!

Remember, Mr. Kohler makes 642,000$ a DAY (250,000,000$ a year) if he invests 5,000,000,000 of his 7.5B worth in a 5% ROI hedge fund (tax free of course).

At best the workers at Kohler at the WI plant make 27,000$/year (after tax), 73$ a day.

What a contrast:

642,000$ a day vs 73$ a day.

Posted by Hugginss_GRz on 2015-12-11 16:28:15

Ken, read your history.

Posted by Hugginss_GRz on 2015-12-11 16:22:56

Kohler would like some manufacturing to be present at their Sheboygan location to point with pride to their golf course, hotel facilities, plumbing plant and engine plant for visitors. Apparently they will tolerate some manufacturing financial losses in order to keep the manufacturing but there may be a limit to this benevolence.

Posted by Bill D. on 2015-12-10 23:46:48

Unions don't destroy jobs. Plenty of jobs are outsourced even at non-union factories. Now even white-collar jobs are being outsourced. A company will almost always do anything to maximize their profits. There is always someone sitting at the top that wants more money at the expense of the workforce. Countries like Germany and Sweden and the Netherlands can have a huge union labor force and there is no issue, but in the United States we are pounded with anti-union propaganda even though the percentage of union labor falls every year. As union membership falls the American worker is working more hours every year, with less vacation time, and you will sit there behind your keyboard and side against your fellow American so that the fat cat on top can take another overnight golf trip to Maui? Our previous generations would be calling us cowards nowadays for how we just let big business walk over us.

Posted by SimonSezz on 2015-12-09 16:36:39

The main problem is the fucking government has been substidizing companies to the point they are making billions but giving employees scrapes and its time for companies to pay up to people who want to work a living wage and good benefits good job local 833 stand up for your rights to be able to have a job that you can provide for your family.

Posted by cotty on 2015-12-08 21:33:42

[drivel]

Posted by Irishrow2 on 2015-12-07 13:24:49

Irish;

Yeah...you're part of "the rest of us" who are "pay[ing] for that", aren't ya'? [smile] Nice of you to make up with YOUR magnificent contributions [cackle] for individuals like "the Koch brothers" and "the Walton Family" paying "mere" millions. Understood! [

There is no "rest of us" in the sense of including people like you. The fact is that people like you - in terms of schools, defence, infrastructure, etc. - don't pay your OWN way in this world, let alone anyone else's. So get off your high horse in that regard.

Or get back to me when YOU are paying millions in taxes or when YOU are employing tens of thousands of workers. Then you might have a reason to bitch. But now? Face it, "Irish"....you're just another "gimme, gimme" artist demanding that OTHERS pay your way in this world. And those insistent demands for subsidy are getting rather tedious.

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-07 12:47:27

The Koch brothers will spend $889 million dollars on electing Republicans so that they can pay mere millions on $12 billion in profits per year.

Yes, they "literally pay millions" in taxes. The Walton Family gets a $750 million dollar tax break every year.

The rest of us pay for that. You're sounding like a hot dog splitting open in the microwave, gushing greasy gas. [Pffffttt]

Posted by Irishrow2 on 2015-12-07 11:20:42

Irish;

Perhaps I am. After all, who am I to dispute matters with someone of your obviously vast "knowledge" of economics, 'eh? [grin!]

In any case, no doubt it's the amply taxpaying job providers individuals such as yourself who keep the economy going, isn't it?! [cackle]

Have a good one "Irish"...and keep on fuming about how your 25% or what-not of virtually NOTHING is equivalent to the contributions of those who pay literally MILLIONS in taxes each year. Very convincing argument, that!

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-07 10:46:27

Oh, hot dog! You're not REALLY going to pull out that asinine Heritage Foundation saw about how "about half pay no (income) tax at all!" are you?

You mean the single mothers paying 15.3% in payroll tax, real estate tax, sales tax on huge percentages of their earnings while the Mitt Romneys pay 9%, are you? You're not going to skip over the part where he has $100 million in an offshore IRA in the Cayman Islands accruing NO INCOME TAX at all, are you?

You're not really THAT stupid, are you?

Posted by Irishrow2 on 2015-12-07 08:49:03

You have a point that unions cannot do very well while society is electing the wrong people to government which has power to neuter unions. I hope workers everywhere will realize that any vote for Republicans on anti-abortion, anti-gay or pro-gun issues is a vote against their own jobs and opportunities in the workplace. This has been true since 1980 and yet, an astonishing number of working people are completely clueless how badly these so-called "social" issues have tricked and hurt them again and again and again in every modern election.

Posted by FriendlyGoat on 2015-12-06 19:46:32

Irish;

From just reading your posts, how is one to discern "the difference"? And I have to wonder whether or not "the difference" is material to begin with. After all, you are what you are.

Have a good one!

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-06 13:56:55

its obvious you have your head up your ass when you take away the income of your consumer bases income you do not sell product it's not rocket science & may your job be the next to b e outsourced

Posted by Larry Sellnow on 2015-12-06 11:21:21

Dear Oscar Meyer: You still don't know the difference between a wiener, a hot dog and a tube steak.

Posted by Irishrow2 on 2015-12-06 11:02:25

Irish;

Right! It's a natural "science", isn't it? [smile]

Face it, guy; you have absolutely no knowledge of what TRUE "collective bargaining" would entail since, as conceived by you, the term involves giving legal preference to solely one side; to wit - YOUR side.

Wonder how well you'd get along in ACTUAL bargaining in the REAL world that way? Perhaps about as good as unions have over the past few decades even WITH preferential "bargaining" at their disposal? Gained a lot of members during that period of time, have they? Or, for that matter, even maintained the employment of the members they ONCE had? [smile]

Whether you want to admit it or not, the primary characteristic of union membership over the last forty years or so has been the VASTLY INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF LOSING ONE'S JOB! For some reason or another, coming to grips with that fact would seem to be a requirement for "hav[ing] an idea".

Then again, perhaps pissing away literally MILLIONS of jobs is your concept of "hav[ing] an idea". [another "smile"] If so, I'll let you to it.

Face it, Sport; you're on the losing side...and probably will remain so until you understand some of the complexities of the REAL world, and come to realize that the rest of the inhabitants of it don't feel obligated to subsidize your standard of living. Meanwhile what pretty much everybody ALREADY understands is that the "gimme, gimme" crowd which you represent, while real "good" at demanding OTHERS to pull the load, is damned POOR when it comes to making actual contributions themselves (for example, how many thousands of jobs do YOU currently offer?). And that's a "big surprise", isn't it? [last "smile"]

Have a good one!

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-06 10:23:40

Really, "to make things short," You really have idea whatsoever about labor relations and collective bargaining between unions and employers. None.

Posted by Irishrow2 on 2015-12-06 08:36:52

Irish;

No one is FORCING people to work at Koehler! If people think they can do better elsewhere, they're welcome to try. However, one wonders just how open employers would be to taking on those who've shown an attitude of entitlement such as so many union members tend to exhibit.

Beyond that, I *DO* support "collective bargaining"....so long as it is TRUE bargaining in which EITHER side can simply say "no" and look elsewhere to service their needs. This deal where workers on strike can't simply be legally permanently and IMMEDIATELY replaced, or where an employer is FORCED by law to "negotiate" is not "bargaining" at all.

Think many people walk into a car dealership with a legal OBLIGATION to "negotiate" with that dealer and, in "good faith", attempt to make a deal WITHOUT the ability to simply walk-out and do their business elsewhere is the way to go, do ya'? In essence, that's was "collective bargain" as it's currently practiced consists of.

In short, the field is going to have to be leveled before any TRUE "collective bargaining" takes place. Now it's highly tilted toward "organized" labor...which is a BIG reason employers are going to other climes for their labor needs.

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-06 06:22:55

Sellnow;

Real student of international economics, aren't ya'?! [smile]

Sorry, "Sellnow", but consuming has - and always will - follow those who most effectively PRODUCE...and NOT those who think the world owes them a living. That's why the largest automotive market today is NOT in the U.S., but rather China.

Lastly, corporations don't really care just WHERE their products are sold; just so they DO. Correspondingly, they don't really care where they're produced either, so long as it's via the most cost-effective means available. Those are simple economic facts...facts which blokes like you can't seem to recognize. You seem to expect employers to subsidize your dead-beat asses simply so YOU can buy their products....and I'm telling you flat-out that, if you're not the most effective worker, they're going to pass you by and get someone ELSE to produce - and ultimately consume - their products.

Again, however, you *CAN* prove me wrong! All you have to do is set up your OWN commercial entities that hire on the basis of YOUR reasoning and demonstrate that the principles that have defined the field of economics for centuries are all wet. You *CAN* do that, can't ya'!? [smile]

Which brings me (once again) to the question: is there essentially NOTHING beyond "gimme, gimme" that you guys have to say?

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-06 06:14:44

Sellnow;

Yeah, I should "thank the unions" for all that, shouldn't I? [smile]

Last I heard, unions did NOT provide jobs, did NOT provide eight hour work days, nor effectively provide ANY benefits whatsoever. Of course, actual facts aren't going to stop "bright" guys like you from imbibing the artificial fruit drink, are they?

Is the country going down the toilet? Perhaps...but that's BECAUSE "the unions" made a decision to NOT allow their members to be competitive, and chose to believe that, for some reason or another, the rest of the world owed them a living. That type of thinking - and activity - will stick a country "in the toilet" real quick.

As for your "living wage" exhortation, why don't wise guys like *YOU* pay it! Why don't *YOU* take all those Wal-Mart employees (or what not) and hire them at jobs that pay $15/hour or better? Or maybe "the unions" can do it in your place?

Much chance of THAT happening, ya' think! [place a BIG "grin" here!]

Sorry, "Sellnow", but I've pretty much had my fill of loud-mouths who are always ready to explain how OTHERS should make MORE of a contribution while making virtually NO contribution themselves. If you don't know who I'm referring to in making such a statement, then I suggest you take a look in the mirror.

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-06 06:06:13

I'm not a Commie union thug.

Posted by Joe Pimpernel on 2015-12-05 18:19:51

And it all started with ronald reagan!

Posted by Danny Stamper on 2015-12-05 17:36:28

You're an idiot of the highest order! I hope if you have a job, you get fired for looking stupid! Then on your way out the door, you can fart in the wind and wish you had someone to represent you!

Posted by Danny Stamper on 2015-12-05 17:35:32

the entire labor movement ran in 1981

Posted by southtpa on 2015-12-05 09:23:56

Capitalism without the Union is slavery.

Posted by BellsNwhistles on 2015-12-05 06:35:17

Ken outsourcing jobs will be what eventually kills the corporations sales of their product .Think about it America is the largest purchaser of consumer products in the World when companies out source American jobs they are taking away the purchasing power of the very same people that buy the majority of their products. The people that the jobs are being outsourced to sure as hell are not being paid enough to be able to purchase the products they are making in those over seas sweat shops where jobs are getting out sourced to m Think about it as your employer could very easily one day decide it's your job that's going to be outsource. so that they can GET short term profits Companies for some reason seem to forget that you still have to sell the finished goods no matter how cheaply you can build them overseas. Eventually all this outsourcing will come back to bite their CEO's right in the as & then they will once again come crawling to uncle SAM to bail their ass out of the mess they created.

Posted by Larry Sellnow on 2015-12-04 23:25:40

What you just said is one of the reasons that employee owned companies do so well The employees have a voice in workplace conditions This is also one of the purposes of a union. Think about it I have live in right to work state & employers do not give a rats as about their employees so turn over rate goes up & quality level goes down Who actually gains No one really because low quality merchandise causes loss of sales Think about that before you run of at the mouth be sure to engage brain & think things through because your job may be the next to be outsourced due to corporate greed Corperations will endup outsourceing themselves out of existance because they are about to kill pof the buyers for their product by out sourceing jobs they msay be able to build a product cheaper but they still have to sell it In essance corerations are shooting themselves i8n the fot As The UIsa Is the biggest buyer of cunsumer products when you take aWAY

Posted by Larry Sellnow on 2015-12-04 23:12:32

I agree with you 100% unfortunately we have idiots that are drinking the Tea publican Tool aid that can't see past the end of their nose like the person just below this comment

Posted by Larry Sellnow on 2015-12-04 23:02:37

SDo you enjoy weekends off asshole Do you Enjoy a 40- hr week & overtime pay Does your kid end up working in a sweat shop 16-18 hrs a day? Thank the unions for these benefits you jerk because the places that jobs get out sourced to such as china do not have these benefits out sourcing jobs is the same as shipping money out of the country think about it do those outsourced jobs pay income tax to this country?? Do they have work place safety rules??? Do you like seeing your country go down the toilet? that's exactly what happens when jobs are out source corporate CEO gets richer & hides his money off shore. Sure lets send all our jobs to China & Mexico including yours. That's the solution according to your reasoning Make the USA a third world country I worked in right to work state The workers were not paid a living wage. just like wal mart does Employees are forced to apply for Government assistance to survive Pull you head out of your ass. The next job to be outsourced just may be the one you have right now.

Posted by Larry Sellnow on 2015-12-04 22:58:44

Sure, heart and soul... I hope, really hope that the Union gets what it wants. Both of us have benefited by strong unions all of our lives. Now, next meeting, look to your left then to your right. Two of you voted for Walker, two of you voted to make Wisconsin a right to work state. The soul of a negotiation is knowing the stakes, the knife to the heart is believing yours is a position of strength when its not. Don't misunderstand though I do support unions and the labor movement.

Posted by Eric Roseberry on 2015-12-04 20:35:09

Larry Sellnow;

You want to cast blame there, Larry, then perhaps you're looking in the wrong place. The fact is that once-upon-a-time workers who are *NOT* working at their once-upon-a-time jobs by virtue of being on strike are the ones who would be responsible if the employer chose to outsource the jobs. No better incentive that I know of for an employer to seek his labor elsewhere that having his what should be his available work force NOT working.

You stand with your union brothers and sisters if you want. Just be aware that such "standing" by unions over the past few decades is primarily characterized by the vastly increased likelihood of LOSING ONE'S JOB! Unions don't make or provide jobs; instead, historically, they've DESTROYED them. Is that "right" in your book? If so, then you and I have a widely disparate view of what's "right". Personally, I think most individuals who would like to earn a living would much prefer there being jobs in existence for them to work at, as opposed to "gone" jobs the unions chased away out of some misdirected sense of "pride".

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-04 13:38:59

What? The close to half that pays NO Federal income tax at all, and that virtually provides NO positive contribution to the nation's economy? That the half you think Braeger speaks for? If so, I suspect you're right....and, if that's the case, then perhaps it's best if he's left to "speak in the wilderness".

Posted by Ken_Meyer on 2015-12-04 13:38:27

Joe, if you hate unions and what they've done to this country, pat your nine year old on the backside and send her over to Kohler to work a sixty-hour week, you should spend the weekend at work on commission only and give up your vacation.

Guys like you believe in the glory of the marketplace until someone mentions that collective bargaining in the labor market makes sense. Then, you show signs of apoplectic shock and a cardboard one that reads, "I got some of mine, and I'd feel better if you didn't get anything."

Posted by Irishrow2 on 2015-12-04 12:12:56

Written with a heart, and soul as caring as the computer you typed it on

Posted by robertblair3174 on 2015-12-04 07:15:37

IMO the union should focus on the tier b wages, I'm not sure what would be fair but larger increase than what has been offered is unlikely. At a minimum Kohler will likely and correctly geographically diverisify the distribution center. Actual production... I don't have the numbers to work out the ROI to open a new facility... Based on other companies I'd guess it wouldn't be in the US. If the goal is long-term employment prospects in Sheboygan county... Well, I really hope the membership understands business math.

Posted by Eric Roseberry on 2015-12-04 07:05:26

end 2 teir wages! i am a UAW 833 worker a teir b worker. we are 400 of 2200 workers yet 94% voted strike. solidarity at its finest.

Posted by Jonathan on 2015-12-03 23:09:39

Detroit destroyed itself. You are what makes people look bad. We are bringing the standards back up to how they should be instead of people like you who bad mouth everyone. The only thing that destroys this country are people like you. I'm sure you're one that supports Wal-Mart and keeping America in debt. Keyboard warrior.

Cpl Hering, USMC/Union Steward Local 833

Posted by Courtney Hering on 2015-12-03 23:01:08

You labor union commies destroyed Detroit. Now you want to destroy the rest of the country.

Posted by Joe Pimpernel on 2015-12-03 22:01:50

So says a citizen of the United States of America? Oh, I see, you speak on behalf of the 400 wealthiest American People. It's fair to say Ben Braeger speaks on behalf of HALF of the population of the United States of America. Thank you very much! Go UAW Local 833!

Posted by Mara on 2015-12-03 21:59:07

Jack ass that just mean WI would sink further into the toilet Maybe your employer ought to outsource your job & make you train the employee that will be doing your job in china. Think about it as that has happened to workers in Illinois when their company was outsourced Mitt Romney. I stand with my union brothers & sister in the Strike Against Kohler & every one else that makes a stand for what's right in the work place.

Posted by Larry Sellnow on 2015-12-03 21:30:32

I hope they outsource your jobs.

Posted by Joe Pimpernel on 2015-12-03 20:59:02

As a worker and current striker at Kohler, I can say that we have seen some amazing support from the community and from other unions. We've heard from people all over the world that are following this and pledging support. Social media has changed the game in regards to striking. It's allowing information to be passed with a speed that's almost incomprehensible. It's also allowing us to hear from union and non-union workers from all parts of the world. Our fight is for everyone to be treated fairly and equally. It's not about getting more money. It's not about "fighting the man." It's about making sure that current and future generations are capable of getting fair pay for fair work. It's about doing a hard job well and walking out after a hard day with pride in a job well done. It's about being able to contribute to a community that stands with us. Anyone that tells you different isn't listening to what we're saying.

Posted by Ben Braeger on 2015-12-03 20:57:36

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